People with metabolic syndrome take longer to recover from covid-19, say experts

Lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes have always been bad news. They don’t just affect our health, but also take away the control we have on our body. We can’t eat what we want to, we can’t do what makes us happy, and have to follow rigid restrictions. 

And the worst part is if you or anyone in your family is dealing with a metabolic syndrome during the covid-19 pandemic, then life is not going to be easy for them.

That’s because if a person with metabolic syndrome is detected with covid-19 then according to experts his/her recovery is going to take much longer.

What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, fat around the belly, and high cholesterol levels that occur together.

People with metabolic syndrome are at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type-2 diabetes. Thankfully, lifestyle changes like a balanced diet, weight loss, and regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of the serious afflictions this syndrome cause.

According to experts, metabolic syndrome makes covid-19 cases worse
Dr Ravi Doshi, who heads the chest department of Indore- based Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), says that at least 150 of over thousand covid-19 patients he’s come across so far in Indore had metabolic syndrome.

According to Dr Doshi, there are many complications that are caused by coronavirus and if someone has metabolic syndrome then those complications multiply by many folds.

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The Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I) has undertaken a detailed study with the University of Michigan and the Columbia University of America on the relationship between covid-19 and metabolic syndrome. 

A member of the team, assistant professor and biostatistics expert Sayantan Banerjee said that “people with metabolic syndrome are vulnerable to coronavirus pandemic.”

“After analysing the data of the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), we have come to (know that) people with metabolic syndrome were vulnerable to pandemic,” he said.

Banerjee further said that “red and orange zones have more number of metabolic syndrome patients with high blood and sugar levels.”

Expert says, adopting a healthy lifestyle is the only way out
Taking proper precautions, maintaining social distancing, and regularly keeping a tab on your health condition is the only way to deal with such a situation. 

Also, listen:

Exercising, healthy eating, and staying in touch with your doctor are some prerequisites that everyone should follow, especially if they are dealing with metabolic syndrome. 

So, it’s time to be extra cautious if you or your loved ones are dealing with metabolic syndrome and protect ourselves from covid-19. 

(With inputs from PTI)